Chapter 7 Voicing Grievances

Shen Jianguo pondered for a while, "Who do you think should go to school then?"

"Of course, it's Siyu." Feeling her bias was somewhat obvious, Zhou Lanfang hurriedly explained in a gentle tone, "Mianmian's grades aren't good, and she likes to play truant and not do her homework. The teachers have complained to me several times. Letting her study further would be a waste since she wouldn't get into university, a waste of money. Better for her to stay at home and do farm work. Siyu's academic performance is good. She's bound to get into university. Our village doesn't have a single university student. If she gets into university, it will bring honor to our faces! It will show those who laugh behind our backs for not having a son that a daughter is in no way inferior to a son."

Jianhua was persuaded but still had a bit of concern, "Siyu isn't our daughter after all." No matter how well you raise her, you're still raising someone else's child.

To Lanfang, these words carried a different meaning, Wasn't Siyu, but Mianmian was?

Indeed, born from some cheap woman outside.

On any normal day, Zhou Lanfang would certainly have made a scene, but now she had other objectives, so she suppressed her anger.

"I know what you're thinking; Siyu has been raised by us, she's definitely closer to us. I've already discussed it with her. Later on, she'll start calling us 'Dad' and 'Mom'. Her household registration will be transferred here, she'll change her name to Shen Siyu."

"Mianmian might object in her heart." Jianhua still hesitated slightly, but had basically decided not to let Mianmian go to school.

Zhou Siyu was a good student; to cultivate her seemed indeed more reliable. Mianmian wasn't a good learner; any money spent would be wasted.

"What objection could she have?" Zhou Lanfang spoke mockingly, "Look around the village, how many girls have studied as much as she has? Some haven't even gone to school at all. What right does she have to be dissatisfied?"

Mianmian could not hold back any longer, stepping into the main room, "Dad, I want to study." Her tone held a firmness never before seen.

Jianhua hadn't expected Mianmian to have overheard their conversation, and, feeling somewhat guilty as Zhao Xianlai also entered, he quickly explained, "I was just discussing it with your mom."

Discussing? Or rather, had he not already made up his mind? Looking at the father she had respected her entire life, Mianmian felt an indescribable bitterness, but she knew this was not the time for self-pity.

She sniffed, sounding very aggrieved, "Dad, I'll study hard in the future, I promise I can get into university as well."

Thinking bringing the village chief would help? Zhou Lanfang glared at her with disdain, "Guarantee? What can you guarantee with? We can't afford to send two children to school, and you don't study as well as Siyu. What's there to compete with her for?"

Mianmian ignored Zhou Lanfang and looked at Shen Jianhua with a pleading tone, "Dad."

She knew that if Jianhua agreed to let her study, Lanfang wouldn't dare to brazenly cause trouble.

"..."

Jianhua felt a tug at his heartstrings, unable to meet Mianmian's eyes.

At the right moment, Zhao Xianlai intervened, "Jianhua, there are reasons behind Mianmian's poor performance at school."

Mianmian promptly rolled up her sleeve in cooperation, "Dad, look, this is all from mom hitting me."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhou Lanfang panicked inside, and retorted defensively: "Who hit you? Clearly you bruised yourself."

"Who would bruise themselves like this? These are from your pinching, and from being hit with a stick." Mianmian had never tattled before because she was afraid, but now her fear had dissipated, "Dad, I have many injuries like this all over my body, hardly a spot without a bruise. Mom hits me often, she also forbids me from tattling, and when you're not home, she only lets me eat leftovers, calling me a bastard child."